Make the Ordinary Into Something Special

When I was a little girl, my mom had a magical superpower. She would make the ordinary into something special. My mom would take the most mundane activity and make it into an experience. We had rainy day picnics in the middle of the living room. We had heart shaped pizzas on Valentines Day, and I got to drink sparkling grape juice while getting ready for the Father-Daughter dance. With a little extra thought and effort, the ordinary became special and memorable. Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around those ordinary turned special experiences.

Thankfully my mom’s superpower is something I inherited. I also work really hard to cultivate it. I love taking a seemingly simple activity and adding just a little extra effort to make it something special. We can’t always afford to have big experiences and adventures, but that doesn’t mean we have to settle for mundane.

Since I started my live on the weekend challenge, I’ve been more aware of how I can make the ordinary into something special. This challenge isn’t just about “doing fun things.” My decision to radically change how I spend my weekend is about being intentional in creating opportunities for joy, adventure, and connection. Thankfully, with a little bit of extra thought and planning, those opportunities can happen almost anywhere. Want proof? Check out some ideas below!

Do you have plans to eat a meal at some point this weekend? (I sure hope so!) Throw your food in a basket or bag, grab a blanket, and head to the closest park. Instant picnic!

Plans for a family movie night? Try moving all the furniture out of the way, lay down some blankets and pillows on the floor, and cozy up together. Pop some popcorn for an added touch!

Making an effort to eat out less, but still want to spice up your dinner at home? Pick an ingredient, and challenge yourself to use it three ways in a meal. Or pick a random ingredient at the store and have your own “Iron Chef” style battle with your partner.

Planning to curl up with a good book this weekend? Light a candle, run a bubble bath, and turn on some soft music. A few extra steps turns reading a book until something a little more nourishing.

I’m convinced that learning how to make the ordinary into something special is a necessary life skill. In some ways, it’s like a variation of the gratitude muscle I talk so much about. Instead of waiting for amazing weekend experiences, let’s create them. You with me?

What ordinary thing can you make special this weekend? I’d love to hear! PS: Want another easy tip for living on the weekend? Click here for one of my favorites!